1/4 breaker bar

[Chadwilliam1]

Which one is your favorite, and why? I just picked up an older Snap-On. I liked this one because it's small and keeps the same diameter for its entire length, instead of being contoured with a skinnier neck like most I see.

]

The SK is because of the knurling.

 

[anurag1990]

1/4" breaker bar is nice to use. Break away the bolt and then flip it straight and use it as nut driver. I use mine alot. its from TAPARIA, with knurled handle.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I have one and never had to use it and never will.

Toolbox filler

 

[arz71]

Have Snap-On 1/4 breaker bar and have used it, very handy when dealing with fasteners where one does not want movement in trying to use a ratchet.

 

[MrWrencher823]

I don't own one, but sometimes I feel like I am going to explode my TL72, 1/4 ratchet when removing plugs with my 3/16 bit on regulators. those things can be in there pretty tight and it takes a good amount of force to remove it. I sometimes have to switch to my 1/4-3/8 extendable HF ratchet because I can't get enough leverage.

still probably can't justify buying one though. haha. but if I come across one for $1 at a flea market like others have done. I may/will jump on it.

 

[coralnut]

... no room to get a ratchet in there. Also when bleeding brakes in a tight area.

^^^ This. When I'm bleeding the rear drums on my K3500, nothing else will fit. I've got the SO bleeder wrench that's allegedly designed for GM brakes, and the Lisle GM bleeder wrench, and neither of them have enough offset to work properly.

I've tried using a craftsman 1/4" ratchet, but it's handle is so short that it's a major PITB, I can barely reach it with my fingertips. (I can confirm that brake fluid gums up the ratcheting mechanism, but oiling fixes the problem.)

My current go-to tool for the job is a Craftsman 1/4" breaker, with a hole drilled through the end, and a small piece of pipe stuck over the end as an extension, and held in place with a screw.

Does anyone know where I can find a long, say 12" long, 1/4" breaker? I don't think anyone makes something like that, but if they did I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[finn]

I have the pin and slider types in my box.

They come in handy when I can't remember where I last used one of the half dozen 1/4" ratchets and don't feel like stopping work to do a search through the shop, shed, garage, basement, and house.

After the ratchets are all temporarily misplaced, I go to the pin type bar, and the slider is the last resort.

Then it's time to do a roundup to locate the missing ratchets and restock the various boxes appropriately.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I use mine to break fasteners loose and can go as large as 5/8" or 15mm with my 1/4" drive sockets. I have two 1/4" breaker bars, a 6" CM (looking to upgrade with a rounder handle one) and a 9" Snap On. Works really well with tight bolts in tight areas. I also use my 8" Matco 1/4" ratchet quite a bit along with the breaker bars. Most things around the house get the 1/4" drive pulled out along with some automotive work. The extra length of the SO also makes using it easier as you have more surface to grab.

I try to break everything loose with a breaker bar regardless of the drive size used (1/4"-3/4") if not using an impact.

 

[PelicanPines]

It may be "different" from what most people use them for but... I like the 1/4 inch breaker for my screwdriver sockets. Can use it straight like a screwdriver then angle it for a bit extra "crank" or "uncrank".

Can't think of a single time I used an actual "nut socket" on a 1/4 inch bar.

My 1/2 inch long breaker gets the most use. I actually store it in my socket drawer instead of with the ratchets.